Greece recorded a primary surplus of 3.9 pct of GDP in 2016, official
figures showed on Friday. Hellenic Statistical Authority, in a report,
said the general government recorded a primary surplus of 3.9 pct of the
country's Gross Domestic Product. The figure referrs to the excessive
deficit procedure, as measured by Hellenic Statistical Authority and
Eurostat and it is not related with the surplus based on the adjustment
program.

"We are committed to honor our obligations to our creditors, despite
the political costs that may entail. But the safest path to this goal
is to foster growth and end the punitive approaches of the past," Prime
Minister Alexis Tsipras said in an interview with Wall Street Journal.

"The clash between the EU and the IMF over Greece's public debt deprives
our economy of invaluable time, which would set back the long-awaited
return to growth," said Tsipras urging for timely specification of medium-
and long-term debt-relief measures to bolster fiscal stability and allow
for sustainable growth.

"As an advanced economy and member of a strong currency club that has
achieved high growth rates in the past, we are ready to enter a growth
path," Tsipras stressed in WSJ article.

"We are happy to welcome the Foreign Minister of Cuba for the first
time in the Greek Parliament. It is a significant day because it marks
50 years since the sad anniversary of the imposition of the seven-year
dictatorship in 1967 on our country and that is why we honor the struggles
of our people," he said.

"We have a long-term friendship and solidarity relations and we believe
that in the current phase that the international relations are on a
transitory phase, the peace, friendship, and solidarity are principles on
the basis of which our people must proceed in the international scene,"
he stressed and added: "The scope of cooperation between the two countries
is wide."

On his part, the Cuban Foreign Minister said that he was honoured to
attend the Hellenic Parliament. "I am at the Parliament of a particularly
friendly country, we have close ties and I believe we can live in this
friendly environment in peace."

12,000 relocations have already been carried out in EU countries,
while another 2,500 relocations will be held in the next period,
Migration Policy Minister Yiannis Mouzalas on Friday said in Parliament.

"The system has become more efficient," Mouzalas underlined and added
that the asylum service has reunited 6,500 families while 6,500 people
have voluntarily returned to their homes.

"It is a valuable service. A total of 25,000 people have found a better
life than the one they would have here (in Greece)," the Minister for
Migration Policy said.

Moreover, he noted that the asylum service started with 200 persons
and now it employs 700 persons adding that the staff will increase by
another 30 pct.